RUGBY'S three-match unbeaten run came to an end on Saturday, with the home side securing their first win of the season against a lacklustre Valley.

With skipper Craig Herbert missing through work commitments, the Rugby defence which had looked so solid in previous games looked vulnerable at times to the home side's long ball attacking strategy.

However, things could have been so different if Rugby had taken advantage of their early chances, with Matt Gearing squandering a good opportunity from close range after good work down the left from David Stone and then Delroy Gordon's header being cleared off the line.

Clevedon made them pay for this lack of punch in front of goal when Jack Pitcher slotted home after 33 minutes following some unconvincing defending from the visitors.

Minutes later Rugby keeper Farhad Afandiyev made a complete hash of a free-kick halfway in his own half, and Mitchell Page was able to help the ball home from distance.

Other good chances fell Rugby's way as the game progressed, but with a continued lack of conviction in the penalty box, they were unable to reduce the arrears.

Jason Taylor was once more guilty of missing the target when he scuffed his shot from only yards out, and Aaron Stringfellow goalbound effort was blocked by the resilient Clevedon defence.

Later in the game, Stone's sweetly struck effort was unfortunately straight at Clevedon keeper Danny Greaves after a neat one-two between Ross Harris and Taylor.

With the final whistle approaching, and Rugby continuing to push forward in an attempt to salvage something from the game, Clevedon substitute Leon Hapgood finally killed off any hopes Billy Jeffrey's side had when he finished off his jinking run with a well-taken goal to push the Valley down to 11th place in the Premier table.